If you would like to do the Tellos cheap, you can stay with my friend Andreas (081363644963) he lives a short paddle from a fun left (churches/Mishos) and half an hour walk from a fun right (the boot/max's right) he can also take you to many other waves in his small long boat (although travel is slow)

To stay with him the cost is Rp 100,000 per person per night (max 4 people), and you must buy all your food in Tello town, he can help you with this and his sisters can cook for you (included in price, Indonesian food, mostly fish and rice etc)

Dont be mistaken the living is basic indonesian village living so you will be roughing it, electricity from only 7 to 10 at night, so hot nights, but his house is clean and Andreas and his family (sisters) are honest good people and will look after you and keep your things safe.

BTW. Some Bahasa Indonesian would be a real help as Andreas is still learning english and nobody else there can speak english.

Getting there from Nias, there is a sometimes a ferry or there is a supply boat that goes there everyday from Teluk Dalam (weather permitting). Leaves at 11 am (or so - Indo time). Cost is 50,000 if you speak bahasa and 100,000 if you're a bule.
If you contact him at least a day before hand he can pick you up from Tello town in his boat to take you to the Island.

Hi Mick,
If I make my way to telos and meet Andreas, What is the chances of avoiding and not having to pay cops etc.? I ve heard they can be a little inhospitable around there (ie more than the usual small scale intimidation)
Is there any shop at all in Andreas village/? or do I need to take all my food?
ps i can speak pretty good bahasa

Hi, yes I was there a few months back for a month and had no problems and spent plenty of time in Tello town (where the police are based), apparently the cop that was causing the most problems years back is no longer in the area.

There is no proper shop in the village where he lives just a small stall at a house where you can buy a few small items like noodles or biscuits, sometimes you may also be able to buy fish from locals, but it is much better to shop on the neighbouring island of Tello where there is many shops, Andreas can help you shop and find the ingredients you need for his sisters to cook you great Indonesian food and offcourse by snacks etc

If your on Facebook please search "Telo islands" for more information and photos.

I have also been wanting to go to the Telo Islands on the cheap and am planning to make it this July. My friend and I would like to surf the area around Pulau Bojo, in the south of the island chain, on the southern end of Tanahbala. If we flew into Telo, is it possible to hire a boat to take us to the south of the chain? The distance is about 50 miles. Or would it be better to try to hire a boat on mainland Sumatra - either from Air Bangis or Padang?
I tried contacting Andreas (in case we decide to stay further north) with no luck. Would you say if we just landed in Telo town, we could find arrangements for a homestay with boat? Thanks!

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Has anybody out their been to the Telo Islands? If so what is the surf like, is it consistent, whats the best time to go, is it as crowed as the Mentawais etc. Any info will help as I want to plan a trip their. Thanks heaps.santos